Oldtimers to induct nine new members

The first in a series of articles promoting the 7th Annual Somerset County Oldtimers Baseball Association Hall of Fame Induction Banquet.

The Somerset County Oldtimers Baseball Association will hold its 7th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Berlin Community Building.

Nine new members will be enshrined into the Hall as the Class of 2003. They include Sam Zambanini Sr., Tom Moore, William Zimmerman, Beachy Reich, Ronald Bowers, John Suder, Steve Benedict, Bill Love and Frank Smith.

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Former Major League baseball player and Somerset County resident Frank Kostro will be the honorary guest speaker.

Kostro, who was born in Windber, Aug. 4, 1937, began his baseball career as a standout in the former Johnstown Junior League, where he won the league batting title in 1955.

Kostro resided in Blough and attended the former Forbes High School. He played for Westmont A.C. in the 1954 AAABA Tournament and Hahn's Meat Packing the following season.

While the scouts were impressed with his baseball talents, Kostro decided to attend the University of Michigan on a full athletic scholarship to play football and basketball.

In 1956, Kostro signed a professional baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers. While in the Tigers organization, he hit over .300 with five minor league teams, including Jamestown, N.Y. (.322); Knoxville, Tenn. (.300); Charlotte, N.C. (.310); Denver, Colo. (.321); and Hawaii (.344).

In 1962, Kostro was finally called up to Detroit and remained in the major leagues from 1964-69.

His first major league hit, a double, was off Jim Kaat and his first big-league hit came off Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning.

Kostro played every position except pitcher and catcher and finished his major league career with a solid .259 batting average.

Kostro currently resides in Denver, where he owns Credit Line A & H Company and deals with extended service contracts in automobile dealerships.

Tickets are still available for the banquet and can be purchased from any Oldtimers Association member.

An auction will be held for two autographed major league bats, including one by Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. All proceeds collected by the Oldtimers Association will be donated to local amateur baseball teams.